Whole mallet putter head

ABSTRACT

The mallet putter head in this present invention is comprised of a body cast in 304 stainless steel having a smooth putting face with a 3 degree loft and also balancing weights starting at the putter face and continuing to the rear curve of the putter head giving a proper look, weight and feel. There are three painted grooves perpendicular to the putter face to assist the golfer in aligning the putter to the intended line of the putt. A hole just smaller than a golf ball is also provided that will assist the golfer in aligning the putt. The sole of the putter is curved to permit easy movement of the putter head in the pendulum swing and also in or out in front of the body. The rear end of the putter allows the golfer to pick up a golf ball, if desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional Patent Application of co-pending U.S.>Provisional Patent Application Sir. No. 61/247,641 filed Oct. 1, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally pertains to the development of a golf mallet putter head that can be used with a conventional hand putter, a belly putter and a chest putter.

2. Prior Art

There have been many mallet putter heads developed over the years each with their own characteristics in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes. See Information Disclosure Statement.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

A mallet putter head for use with a variety of putters like the standard hand putter, the belly putter and the chest putter requires several features that permit its use with each length putter. The primary action for the golfer in putting is the pendulum swing and the putter head needs to permit the pendulum swing characteristics. The first feature is the putter head weight. Having enough weight allows the golfer to feel the movement of the putter head enabling the golfer to adjust the length of the swing for the desired length of putt and putting surface conditions. The next feature is the curved sole of the putter head. Curvature in the sole from the putter face to the rear end of the mallet putter head allows the putter head to move over the putting surface with minimum contact and avoids drag against the grass. The curvature from the heel of the putter to the toe is designed to permit the golfer to place the ball closure or further from their standing position. Placing the ball directly below the eyesight is preferred, but not required. Another feature is the putter face wherein the surface is milled smooth with a three degree loft from heel to toe. The next feature is the distribution of weight which allows the golfer greater latitude in striking the ball near the center of the putter face. Weight is placed toward the outer edges behind the face between the heel and toe. Still another feature is the three painted grooves placed on the putter head that run perpendicular to the putter face to assist the golfer in aligning the putter head to the intended direction of the putt. An important feature in the center of the putter head is a hole also intended to assist the golfer in aligning the putt. Then another feature is the thickness at the rear of the putter head which allows the golfer to pick up the golf ball from the putting surface, if desired, and the hole also cradles the ball. All these features create a unique mallet head putter.

The mallet putter head is made of 304 stainless steel cast using investment casting. Next the putter head is milled to create the flat putter face and then the sole and face of the putter head are polished to a provide a smooth surface. The upper surface of the putter head is powder coated and the grooves are painted to match improving the golfer's sight of the putter head.

DRAWINGS FOR THE “WHOLE MALLET PUTTER HEAD”

FIG. 1—The whole mallet putter head.

-   -   Shows the top view of the putter head, cross sections, including         face and rear views.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

2 Putter Head

2-2 Putter Face

2-4 Hole for ball guide and pickup

2-6 Balancing weights and parallel strips for putt alignment

2-8 Hole for putter shaft

2-10 Sole of putter

2-12 Raised bars and Painted grooves

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The mallet putter head 2 herein presented gives the golfer a unique opportunity to use the pendulum swing with any type of hand, belly or chest putter shafts currently in use. Golfers may still use other types of swing in striking the ball which is also improved with this mallet putter head. Special features like the curved sole, the smooth putter face, balanced weighting, guide lines, a hole for putt alignment and ball pickup making this mallet putter head very special.

DESCRIPTION—MAIN EMBODIMENT

The putter head 2 is properly weighted and balanced for striking the ball with any type putter, hand, belly or chest. The putter head 2 balancing weights and parallel strips 2-6 and 2-12 along with the hole for ball guide 2-4 are designed to assist the golfer in aligning the putt when putter face 2-2 strikes the ball. The hole for the ball guide 2-4 is also used to secure the ball when being picked up after play is completed on the green. The putter head 2 is connected to a shaft using shaft epoxy in the hole 2-8 for the putter shaft, mounted in a vertical position. Any 0.370″ shaft with a vertical mounting design can be used with this mallet putter head 2. The grooves in 2-6 and 2-12 are painted to improve visibility for the golfer. Sole 2-10 is curved face the rear to permit the pendulum swing minimizing contact with the putting surface. Sole 2-10 is also curved from heel to toe allowing the golfer to move the putter head 2 in and out in front of the golfer's stance again minimizing contact with the putting surface.

OPERATION—MAIN EMBODIMENT

Each golfer is directed to place the putter head 2 as close to vertically below their eyesight and swing the putter head 2 along a path parallel to the intended line of the ball movement. In the use of a hand putter the path of the putter head may have a slight curve. A pendulum swing is common, but that is entirely up to the golfer. The parallel strips and the hole behind the putter face 2-2 are used to assist the golfer in maintaining the putter face 2-2 perpendicular to the line of the intended ball movement. The length of the putt is governed by the momentum created in the pendulum swing. The golfer will learn to swing the putter head, weighing approximately 390 grams, a sufficient distance back and through the strike plain to move the ball the desired distance.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

Each of the various manufacturing processes are preformed by different manufactures. {Investing casting, milling and polishing, and powder coating}

The putter head is affixed to the putter shaft using shaft epoxy applied by an experienced club maker. 

1. A mallet type putter head comprising: a body having a face portion, a balanced weight and ball guidance portion a sole portion and a ball pickup portion, with the balanced weight and ball guidance portion extending rearward from the face portion having raised bars with grooves and painted strips and a hole centered behind the face portion improving the ball guidance and ball pick up system with grooves and painted strips along the centerline to assist in the putting guidance system, the sole portion has a polished curved surface, the rear portion of the mallet body is shaped to assist in ball pickup and where the face portion is milled and polished flat and has a loft of a few degrees to assist in the forward roll of the ball when struck, and a hole just behind the putter face to receive the putter shaft.
 2. The mallet putter head according to claim 1 further comprising weight bars shaped to give clear guidance with its smooth edges and top strips designed to assist in aligning the face portion perpendicular to the line of intended ball movement.
 3. The mallet putter head 2 according to claim 1 further comprising a sole that is curved to permit movement of the putter head in or out below the eyesight of the golfer when aligning the putter, with the curve also allowing the sole to move smoothly along the putting surface during the swing of the putter head.
 4. The mallet putter head 2 according to claim 1 is composed of cast and machined stainless steel having a total mass of approximately 390 grams.
 5. The mallet putter head 2 according to claim 1 has the top surface powder coated which can be various colors with painted stripes to match.
 6. The mallet putter head 2 according to claim 1 has a hole in the top of the putter head designed to accept a standard shaft mounted vertically using shaft epoxy.
 7. The mallet putter head 2 according to claim 1 is designed to provide a pleasing shape of sufficient width heel to toe and depth face to rear enhancing its intended use.
 8. The mallet putter head 2 according to claim 1 with all its featured portions will give the golfer a satisfying putting experience. 